Nuggets finally finish off pesky Pelicans

Field Level Media|published: Mon 3rd February, 23:52 2025

NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets

Feb 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) reaches for a loose ball in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high 36 points, Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 125-113 on Monday night.

Jamal Murray finished with 20 points and eight assists, Julian Strawther contributed 15 points and Christian Braun had 11 for Denver, which was missing three rotation players: Russell Westbrook (hamstring), Peyton Watson (right knee sprain) and Aaron Gordon (right calf injury management).

Zeke Nnaji started in place of Gordon and finished with 12 points.

Trey Murphy III tied his career high with 41 points and matched a season high with eight 3-pointers. He had 24 points on 8 of 10 shooting in the third quarter.

CJ McCollum had 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, Zion Williamson scored 14 and Karlo Matkovic grabbed 11 rebounds for New Orleans, which lost its sixth straight.

Denver went ahead by 20 in the first minute of the third quarter but couldn't shake the Pelicans behind Murphy's big period. He hit two 3-pointers and dunked off a lob pass by Williamson, then made another from deep in a 15-5 run that made it 75-65.

The Nuggets responded to lead 91-72 after two free throws by Jokic, but New Orleans hung around. Murphy hit a 3-pointer and converted a three-point play, Jose Alvarado hit from behind the arc and Murphy capped his 24-point quarter with two free throws that drew the Pelicans within 93-85 heading into the fourth.

Strawther and Porter opened the final quarter with 3-pointers, but McCollum answered with a pair from long range to make it 99-91. Denver scored six straight to go back up by double digits, but McCollum got New Orleans within 105-96 with a four-point play.

Jokic completed his 23rd triple-double of the season with assists on four straight possessions that helped the Nuggets close it out.

Denver went on a 12-2 run to end the first quarter with a 10-point lead. New Orleans got within six, but the Nuggets finished the second quarter strong to take a 68-50 lead at halftime.

--Field Level Media